Retained enclosed opening means

ABSTRACT

An elongated sealed container with a self-contained opening means fully enclosed within the container to release the liquid sealed within the container is disclosed. The retained enclosed opening means may be operated by either squeezing or bending the elongated sealed container at or near the retained enclosed opening means to release the liquid sealed within the elongated sealed container for application. There are no loose parts that may be lost and all components are completely sealed within the container.

This application is a continuation-in-part of the prior nonprovisionalU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/670,961, filed on Sep. 25, 2003,entitled Sealed Container with Enclosed Opening Means.

BACKGROUND-FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a sealed container with anenclosed opening means retained within the container for releasing theliquids sealed within the container.

BACKGROUND-DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

A variety of opening means exists for opening a container. Most openingmeans are in the form of a screw-on cap or a snap-on cap. Some openingmeans are in the form of a frangible seal or a score line on thecontainer that will allow the contents of the container to be releasedupon fracturing of the frangible seal or the container at the scoreline. All of these opening means are either attached to the containerexternally, such as the screw-on cap and the snap-on cap, or are formedas part of the container, such as the frangible seal and the score lineon the container. None of the opening means are designed to be enclosedwithin the container to seal a liquid in the container and yet stillallow the release of the liquids easily and reliably. The availabilityof an effective and easy to use opening means is particularly lackingfor a small elongated container with a small cross-sectional area.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an elongated sealed container with a retainedopening means fully enclosed within the container to release the liquidsealed within the container. The retained enclosed opening means may beoperated by either squeezing or bending the elongated sealed containerat or near the retained enclosed opening means. Once the retainedenclosed opening means is opened, the liquid sealed within the elongatedsealed container may be released for application. When the elongatedsealed container has a small cross-section such that the liquid withinit cannot be released due to its surface tension, a guiding member maybe utilized to increase the capillary action and to overcome the surfacetension of the liquid to release the liquid from the elongated sealedcontainer. There are no loose parts that may be lost and all componentsare completely sealed within the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the retained enclosed openingmeans.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the retained enclosed opening means.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the retained enclosed opening means.

FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of the retained enclosed opening means inthe closed condition.

FIG. 5 shows the retained enclosed opening means of FIG. 4 in the openposition to release the liquids in the sealed container to be released.

FIG. 6 shows one embodiment of the retained enclosed opening means inthe closed condition.

FIG. 7 shows the retained enclosed opening means of FIG. 6 in the openposition to release the liquids in the sealed container to be released.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following description and figures are meant to be illustrative onlyand not limiting. Other embodiments of this invention will be apparentto those of ordinary skill in the art in view of this description.

FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the retained enclosed openingmeans. In the preferred embodiment, the retained enclosed opening meanscomprises of an elongated tubular housing 1 with a sealed end 2 and anopen end 3. A liquid 4 is enclosed within the elongated tubular housing1 near the sealed end 2. An enclosed opening means 5 is affixed insidethe elongated tubular housing 1 sealing the liquid 4 within theelongated tubular housing 1. The retained enclosed opening means 5 maybe operated either by squeezing or bending the elongated tubular housing1 at or near the retained enclosed opening means 5.

When the elongated tubular housing 1 has a small cross-section such thatthe liquid 4 within it cannot be released simply by opening the retainedenclosed opening means 5 due to its surface tension, a guiding member 6,7 may be utilized to increase the capillary action and to overcome thesurface tension of the liquid 4 to release the liquid 4 from theelongated tubular housing 1 as shown in FIG. 2.

One embodiment of the retained enclosed opening means 5 is shown in FIG.3 wherein the retained enclosed opening means 5 comprises of a cylinder8 with an outside diameter approximately that of the inside diameter ofthe elongated tubular housing 1 defining a small liquid path from theopen end 3 of the elongated tubular housing 1 to the liquid 4. The endnear the liquid 4 has an elongated protrusion 9 that is smaller indiameter than the cylindrical body of the enclosed opening means 5 andis separable from the cylindrical body of the retained enclosed openingmeans 5. The elongated protrusion 9 seals the small liquid path in thecylinder 8 and prevents the liquid 4 in the elongated tubular housing 1from being released through the retained enclosed opening means 5. Theelongated protrusion 9 is further affixed to the inside wall of theelongated tubular housing 1 wherein the elongated protrusion 9 will beretained at approximately the same position when it is separated fromthe cylindrical body. This will retain the separated elongatedprotrusion 9 at a predetermined position and prevent it from interferingwith the compression of the liquid 4 in the elongated tubular housing 1.The affixation 55 may be in the form of one or more indentations orrestrictions that project into the interior of the elongated tubularhousing 1 and restricts the elongated protrusion 9 from movement withinthe elongated tubular housing 1. The affixation 55 may also be designedinto the elongated protrusion 9, wherein the elongated protrusion 9 hasa cross-section that will allow liquid 4 to pass around it yet has aninterference fit within the elongated tubular housing 1. This may beaccomplished by forming the elongated protrusion 9 with a cross-sectionother than a similar cross-section as the interior of the elongatedtubular housing 1. The elongated protrusion 9 may have a cross-sectionin the form of a triangle, square, star shape, or any other shapes thatwill leave a liquid flow path from one end to the other. When theelongated tubular housing 1 is bent near the junction between theelongated protrusion 9 and the cylindrical body of the retained enclosedopening means 5, the elongated protrusion 9 will be separated from thecylindrical body and the small liquid path is exposed for the liquid 4to be released from the elongated tubular housing 1 through the retainedenclosed opening means 5.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the retained enclosed opening means5. In this embodiment, the retained enclosed opening means 5 comprisesof a deformable cup 15 with a diameter approximately that of the insidediameter of the tubular housing 1 and a length that is longer than thediameter. The deformable cup 15 is inserted into the tubular housing 1to seal the liquid 4 within the tubular housing 1. The deformable cup 15is further affixed to the inside wall of the elongated tubular housing 1wherein the deformable cup 15 will be retained at approximately the sameposition when it is deformed. As shown in FIG. 5, upon bending orsqueezing the tubular housing 1 at or near the retained enclosed openingmeans 5, the deformable cup 15 is deformed and a liquid flow path isexposed to allow the liquid 4 to be released from the tubular housing 1.A deformable sphere such as a plastic hollow ball with approximatelythat of the inside diameter of the tubular housing 1 may also be usedinstead of the deformable cup 15. The deformable sphere is also affixedto the inside wall of the elongated tubular housing 1 wherein thedeformable sphere will be retained at approximately the same positionwhen it is deformed. Upon bending or squeezing the tubular housing 1 atthe retained enclosed opening means 5, the deformable sphere will bedeformed and a liquid flow path is exposed to allow the liquid 4 to bereleased from the tubular housing 1.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the retained enclosed opening means 5wherein the retained enclosed opening means 5 comprises of a cylindricalsection 28 with sufficient length to prevent it from turning inside thetubular housing 1. The cylindrical section 28 has a diagonal slit 29formed diagonally from one end to the other with a thin section ofmaterial 30 connecting the two halves of the cylindrical section 28 andsealing the liquid 4 in the tubular housing 1 behind the cylindricalsection 28. The cylindrical section 28 is further affixed to the insidewall of the elongated tubular housing 1 wherein the cylindrical section28 will be retained at approximately the same position when it iscompressed. When the cylindrical section 28 is compressed by squeezingthe tubular housing 1, the two halves of the cylindrical section 28 willslide against each other and press together thereby reducing thecross-section of the cylindrical section 28. A liquid flow path istherefore formed between the outside of the cylindrical section 28 andthe inside wall of the tubular housing 1 to allow the liquid 4 to bereleased from the tubular housing 1 as shown in FIG. 7.

Although the invention has been described in terms of particularembodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in the art, in lightof this teaching, can generate additional embodiments and modificationswithout departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of theclaimed invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawingsand descriptions herein are proffered by way of example to facilitatecomprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit thescope thereof.

1. A retained enclosed opening means comprising an elongated tubular housing with a sealed end and an open end, a liquid enclosed within said elongated tubular housing near said sealed end, an enclosed opening means affixed inside said elongated tubular housing sealing said liquid within said elongated tubular housing wherein said enclosed opening means may be operated to release said liquid from said elongated tubular housing and remains generally at the same position.
 2. A retained enclosed opening means as in claim 1, wherein said enclosed opening means comprises of a cylinder with an outside diameter approximately that of the inside diameter of said elongated tubular housing defining a liquid flow path from said liquid to said open end of said elongated tubular housing and an elongated protrusion that is affixed to said elongated tubular housing and that is separable from said cylinder extending from an end of said cylinder near said liquid and sealing said liquid flow path.
 3. A retained enclosed opening means as in claim 1, wherein said enclosed opening means comprises of a deformable cup that is affixed to said elongated tubular housing.
 4. A retained enclosed opening means as in claim 1, wherein said enclosed opening means comprises of a deformable sphere that is affixed to said elongated tubular housing.
 5. A retained enclosed opening means as in claim 1, wherein said enclosed opening means comprises of a cylindrical section affixed within said elongated tubular housing with sufficient length to prevent it from turning inside said tubular housing and with a diagonal slit formed diagonally from one end to the other with a thin section of material connecting the two halves of said cylindrical section and sealing said liquid in said tubular housing behind said cylindrical section wherein when said cylindrical section is compressed by squeezing said tubular housing wherein the two halves of said cylindrical section will slide against each other and press together thereby reducing the cross-section of said cylindrical section to form a liquid flow path between the outside of said cylindrical section and the inside wall of said tubular housing to allow said liquid to be released from said tubular housing.
 6. A retained enclosed opening means comprising an elongated tubular housing with a sealed end and an open end, an elongated member affixed to said sealed end, a liquid enclosed within said elongated tubular housing near said sealed end, an enclosed opening means affixed inside said elongated tubular housing sealing said liquid within said elongated tubular housing wherein said enclosed opening means may be operated to release said liquid from said elongated tubular housing and remains generally at the same position.
 7. A retained enclosed opening means as in claim 6, wherein said enclosed opening means comprises of a cylinder with an outside diameter approximately that of the inside diameter of said elongated tubular housing defining a liquid flow path from said liquid to said open end of said elongated tubular housing and an elongated protrusion that is affixed to said elongated tubular housing and that is separable from said cylinder extending from an end of said cylinder near said liquid and sealing said liquid flow path.
 8. A retained enclosed opening means as in claim 6, wherein said enclosed opening means comprises of a hollow cylindrical body with an open end disposed toward said liquid and a sealed end affixed to said elongated tubular housing and with an elongated member extending therefrom to said open end of said elongated tubular housing with a frangible section formed on the hollow cylindrical body near said sealed end of said hollow cylindrical body.
 9. A retained enclosed opening means as in claim 6, wherein said enclosed opening means comprises of a deformable cup that is affixed to said elongated tubular housing.
 10. A retained enclosed opening means as in claim 6, wherein said enclosed opening means comprises of a deformable sphere that is affixed to said elongated tubular housing.
 11. A retained enclosed opening means as in claim 6, wherein said enclosed opening means comprises of a cylindrical section affixed within said elongated tubular housing with sufficient length to prevent it from turning inside said tubular housing and with a diagonal slit formed diagonally from one end to the other with a thin section of material connecting the two halves of the cylindrical section and sealing said liquid in said tubular housing behind said cylindrical section wherein when said cylindrical section is compressed by squeezing said tubular housing the two halves of the cylindrical section will slide against each other and press together thereby reducing the cross-section of said cylindrical section to form a liquid flow path between the outside of the cylindrical section and the inside wall of said tubular housing to allow said liquid to be released from said tubular housing.
 12. A retained enclosed opening means comprising an elongated tubular housing with a sealed end and an open end, an elongated member affixed to said sealed end, a liquid enclosed within said elongated tubular housing near said sealed end, an enclosed opening means with an elongated member disposed inside and affixed to said elongated tubular housing sealing said liquid within said elongated tubular housing with said elongated member extending towards said open end of said elongated tubular housing wherein said enclosed opening means may be operated to release said liquid from said elongated tubular housing and remains generally at the same position.
 13. A retained enclosed opening means as in claim 12, wherein said enclosed opening means comprises of a cylinder with an outside diameter approximately that of the inside diameter of said elongated tubular housing defining a liquid flow path from said liquid to said open end of said elongated tubular housing and an elongated protrusion affixed to said elongated tubular housing that is separable from said cylinder extending from an end of said cylinder near said liquid and sealing said liquid flow path.
 14. A retained enclosed opening means as in claim 12, wherein said enclosed opening means comprises of a hollow cylindrical body with an open end disposed toward said liquid and a sealed end affixed to said elongated tubular housing and with an elongated member extending therefrom to said open end of said elongated tubular housing with a frangible section formed on the hollow cylindrical body near said sealed end of said hollow cylindrical body.
 15. A retained enclosed opening means as in claim 12, wherein said enclosed opening means comprises of a deformable cup affixed within said elongated tubular housing.
 16. A retained enclosed opening means as in claim 12, wherein said enclosed opening means comprises of a deformable sphere affixed within said elongated tubular housing.
 17. A retained enclosed opening means as in claim 12, wherein said enclosed opening means comprises of a cylindrical section affixed within said elongated tubular housing with sufficient length to prevent it from turning inside said tubular housing and with a diagonal slit formed diagonally from one end to the other with a thin section of material connecting the two halves of the cylindrical section and sealing said liquid in said tubular housing behind said cylindrical section wherein when said cylindrical section is compressed by squeezing said tubular housing the two halves of said cylindrical section will slide against each other and press together thereby reducing the cross-section of said cylindrical section to form a liquid flow path between the outside of said cylindrical section and the inside wall of said tubular housing to allow said liquid to be released from said tubular housing. 